Boeing 787s, 737s in Air India Fleet Pass Fuel Switch Inspections

Fast Summary

• Air India has completed inspections of the fuel control switch (FCS) locking mechanism for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners and AI Express Boeing 737s.
• The checks were carried out following a July 14 directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
• the directive was issued after a June 12 incident involving an Air india Dreamliner (AI-171) in Ahmedabad, where both engines lost power mid-air due too FCS switches moving from “run” to “cut-off.” The cause behind this transition remains undetermined.
• Air India confirmed no faults were found during the inspections, and results have been shared with DGCA.
• The airline emphasized its commitment to ensuring passenger and crew safety.
• A Special Airworthiness Details Bulletin issued by the US Federal Aviation Governance in December 2018 had previously warned about potential disengagement of FCS locking mechanisms on certain Boeing aircraft; however, as it was advisory, no immediate action was taken at that time.

!fuel switch checks clear Boeing 787s, 737s in AI fleet

Indian Opinion Analysis
The swift completion of fuel control switch checks by Air india reflects responsiveness to aviation safety directives after recent incidents like the June 12 engine shutdown scare. While no faults have been identified in their fleet’s FCS systems, both regulatory authorities and airlines must remain vigilant against such rare yet critical occurrences that can compromise operational safety. This episode also raises questions about prior advisories like the FAA’s bulletin from 2018-considering whether stronger measures could reduce risks proactively rather than reacting post-crisis.Moving forward, consistent compliance with global regulations paired with real-time monitoring will be crucial for ensuring passenger confidence in airlines operating advanced aircraft models like the Boeing Dreamliner series.

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